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Time Out says

The 'South Park' creators' musical doesn't quite live up to the epic hype, but is still the funniest show in town.

Nic Rouleau and Brian Sears are the current Elders Price and Cunningham

Brace yourself for a shock: ‘South Park’ creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s Broadway-munching musical is not particularly shocking. Sure, there are ‘fucks’ and ‘cunts’ and gags about baby rape – but beneath it all, this is a big-hearted affair that pays note-perfect homage to the spirit of Broadway’s golden age as much as the sounds.

The strapping young Latter Day Saints missionaries in ‘The Book of Mormon’ are as cartoonish as any ‘South Park’ character, with the endearing alpha-male woodenness of the ‘Team America’ puppets. In other words, they are loveable, well-intentioned idiots, traversing the globe like groups of pious meerkats, convinced they can convert the heathen through sheer politeness. And if they have doubts, then as Stephen Ashfield’s scene-stealingly repressed Elder McKinley declares in glorious faux-Gershwin number ‘Turn it Off’, ‘Don’t feel those feelings – hold them in instead!’

His advice is ignored by the show’s heroes, narcissistic, highly strung Elder Price (Gavin Creel) and dumpy, lying Elder Cunningham (Jared Gertner). The pair are sent to Uganda in an effort to convert a village to Mormonism, a religion that essentially tells the penniless villagers how great distant America is. The locals are not keen: Price cracks and unwisely clashes with a crazed local warlord; Cunningham makes up his own version of Mormonism which involves fucking frogs to cure oneself of Aids.

‘The Book of Mormon’ is, above all, very funny, breathing three-dimensional, all-singing, all-dancing life into the absurdities of literal Mormon dogma without ever being mean. It’s the mildest thing Parker and Stone have done, atheist in outlook but conciliatory towards anyone whose beliefs make them happy. If they and co-creator Robert ‘Avenue Q’ Lopez are angry about anything, it’s ‘The Lion King’: ‘Mormon’ neatly sidesteps accusations of racism by making its Uganda a scathing and explicit parody of that musical blockbuster’s misty-eyed romanticism.

From Casey Nicholaw’s kitsch choreography to the sheer detail of a book that hops with elan from Biblical Egypt to eighteenth-century America to a sort of vaginal version of hell, this is a tremendous show, as accomplished as it is funny. It also has as hard-working, well-drilled and odd-looking an ensemble as you’ll see on the West End.

And yet, after the biblical deluge of hype, for me ‘Mormon’ is only the best West End musical since the stronger ‘Matilda’. It offers a series of great-to-sublime songs and set pieces, but for all the laughs, as a whole it lacks the satiric purpose and angry animating spark of its creators’ other work.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone are not West End messiahs. But they are very naughty boys, and it’s hard not to love their smash musical.

It says something about their reputations going before them, but I was actually expecting this to be more extreme. It's hardly take-your-gran material though and still incredibly unique on the west end stage.

I would have liked to have seen more from the supporting Mormons too, they were brilliant, so I was disappointed they were under-used.

But as an intelligent spectacle on a grand scale, it's a pretty magnificent beast.

Ah Book of Mormon...It took me such a long time to see you, and my expectations were so high. And yep, they were pretty much met! The first act is, as is often the way, the most hilarious and engaging. I laughed so hard at at least two of the songs. Though I must admit, there were often moments when I genuinely cringed, and thought maybe they were going a little too far. Certain topics (if you see it, you'll know what I mean) that are in bad taste, rather than being ironically funny. My aunt and uncle asked me if they should see it, and I said no: The type of humour is really only suitable for those with dark sides! But if you enjoy that kind of humour, definitely see it - it can be very, very funny.

Not one for the feint of heart but the Book of Mormon is brilliant in its' ridiculousness. There's everything you'd expect from the creators of South Park and if you're not into that sort of thing then I wouldn't advise going. The music is on point and will leave you listening to the soundtrack for weeks...

The theatre is also very good - we were on the back row, right in the corner but still had a perfect view.

I absolutely loathed this silly show. I don't like musicals- so I shouldn't have gone, but I thought it would be less jazz handsy than the usual Jersey Boys style show. It isn't. IT's MORE jazz handsy - even if this is meant ironically, with over the top camp routines to take a swipe at the Mormons, it's still irksome. People were laughing their heads off all around me, so I'm sure if you like this sort of thing, you'll love it. But I wanted to leave at the interval after one too many drama school types sassed around on stage to a stupid number with none of the acerbic wit of South Park. As I said though - I don't like musicals, so it's not their fault I couldn't get on board with it. Just don't go thinking it'll be like Team America or SOuth Park - it's more like Wicked. Or what I imagine Wicked would be, if wild horses managed to drag me in there WHICH THEY WON'T!!!

I'm not surprised the average review on TO is 5 stars, because this is a 5 star production. Funny, quick, and a sure fire hit even for those of us that hate musicals (Ok, I don't, I love them, but I pretend I hate them). It's rude, it's sweary, it's definitely for adults. Don't take super timid grandparents, but do take anyone you know that likes the kind of humour that feels borderline too far. I loved it. Everyone I know that has seen it has loved it. Go go go go! It sells out almost every single night, and has done since the start. Be sure to pre book your tickets, and it's definitely more fun in a group. Gather a posse together and be ready to laugh your head off.

Incredibly clever, incredibly funny, incredibly well put together. Absolutely love this show and cannot recommend it enough. Though offensive, it manages to walk a fine line between harrowing and hilariously lighthearted.

Would help if you have some idea of the Mormon religion as my friends who knew nothing going in thought it was all part of the joke.

The best show in the West End by far. Laugh out loud funniness that leaves you wanting more. Listen carefully for the sounds of other big musicals which are littered throughout the score. wickedly naughty and likely to offend. Brilliant stuff

As people before have written: definitely such a big build up prior to seeing this show and a big price.

Ive seen plenty of musicals and this was definitely as enjoyable as the rest - lots of laughter and great singing. The songs are definitely a bit less memorable and its missing that little bit of heart that comes with most of the West End, but it makes up for it by covering some important topics with great wit, gusto from the cast and some very memorable lines! I think the African cast far outshone the American mormons!

A top-notch cast, especially charismatic, Olivier award-winning lead Gavin Creel, and comic sidekick Jared Gertner, keep the energy high throughout a show that's frequently so funny you'll have trouble breathing. Good luck getting the camp songs out of your head afterwards – a couple are permanent ear worms. Sublimely ridiculous.

If you're sensible you better not see this play, but if you like raw humor, this is for you. For me it was laugh after laugh. The script is witty, the song are engaging, the actors are incredible! Is all that you can expect from the West End, and then some.

Loved it! Had heard friends and colleagues raving about it, so had to give it a go and we were not disappointed! The songs are hilarious and lewd, but no catchy enough to get stuck in your head (luckily), and the scenery and acting were just perfect. Would recommend to anyone!

So much fun! I took a date and fortunately she loved it! I've still got half the songs stuck in my head, I have to be careful not singing them in the office! Definitely got near the knuckle a few times but I was never offended.

I have waited over 12 months to see this show and was promised the best two hours of my life. I was not disappointed. Having experienced Mormon-ism first hand while working in Salt Lake City, I loved every minute of this entertaining and surprisingly accurate history lesson. I would see it again!!!

I was expecting it to be funny, if a little odd (consider the vague description), but I wasn't expecting it to be quite so funny! I spent most of it laughing, sniggering, giggling and out right guffawing; so much so that I actually missed some of the song lyrics (remedied by buying the soundtrack!)

I wouldn't recommend it for children, or the more uptight PC sort, but anyone who knows how to have a laugh should definitely try and get a ticket (you'll have to remortgage your home to afford it, but it'll be totally worth it)!

Without giving too much away: 10/10, black humour, laugh out loud spectacle that I would recommend! Keep an eye on Time Out London and Theatre People for new dates and cheap on the spot tickets :)

I've been wanting to see this for sometime so was over the moon when I saw the great offer form Time Out, the show didn't disappoint. Side splitting controversies from the word go. Note of warning this is not one for the easily offended. (Or blindingly religious!).

This is the funniest show I have ever seen in the theatre and I've seen hundreds over the years. It is such a pity they could never expose other religions in the same way as they would both have to go into hiding. But that's religion for you. Not to be missed if you enjoy laughing and are not a stick in the mud or obviously a Mormon.

When things come highly recommended by masses from all directions, it can be a let down. I am really happy to say that this show that lived up to the raves. I was prepared for mass crudeness, there is some, but not to the extent I expected. It is a feel good show, with uplifting music, real belly laughs, giggles but also some seriousness. Was in the dress circle quite high up and could still see well, great theatre, art deco style, feels like an ocean liner of c1920s . I am not that hot on musicals but would see this again. Go with an open mind and prepare to be seriously entertained and amused!

Laugh a minute, from the moment we took our seats we were in stitches. But be warned this is not for the easily offended! Our seats were high but it didn't detract from the performance. Very efficient service from Time Out, tickets arrived promptly. I'd highly recommend this for a fun night out.

This show will have you gasping in shock and crying with laughter all in the same minute. The acting was brilliant as was the singing and the storyline. You will need to go in there prepared to be slightly shocked otherwise you'll be finding yourself maybe offended by some of the story but as long as you are aware of this you should enjoy it immensely. The whole show is brilliant,there wasn't one part that I would say wasn't amazing. All in all a great night and a great show. Definitely recommend and I'm sure we will be back to see it again.

I am seventy six and half crippled with arthritis but I was determined to blast a way from Sussex to see this play because I did not believe anyone could make a musical out of a religion. Well, they did and they did it by throwing all fear and squeamishness to the winds - an iconoclastic scalpel was used to cut down beliefs everyone knew to be not just stupid but plain wrong - superstitious ways of curing aids, female genital mutilation and perverted teaching about God . I loved it. It was, above all else, honest - even more so than funny (I wish I could read all the words). That's leaving out the incredible energy and talent of the dancing and singing! What superb theatre!

A delight from beginning to end, the Book of Mormon was utterly hilarious, cleverly crafted and impeccably performed. Witty, filthy, irreverent, but never careless or crass, although I'm not sure my Catholic mother would approve of the "F*%! You God" number. My fiance and I left the theatre humming the tunes and woke up this morning with them still ringing in our ears. A must see.

One of the best musicals I've ever seen. Biting satire, but not for the faint hearted! We laughed through every minute of the performance. The production was slick, music was excellent (we were humming all the way home), and well worth the ticket price.

Probably one of the best musicals I've seen in the West End! How they manage to smile like that from start to finish is beyond me! Quality cast, laugh a minute [good sense of humour required!] ...I'd see it again in a heartbeat!

Brilliant! It's more Team America than South Park. It's camp, hugely engaging and hilarious. We had the understudy for the main part and he was perfect. Can't imagine the lead being better. Fantastic voices, endearing characters and plenty of laughs.

Disappointing. It was a good show and there were definitely some funny moments but I was expecting a lot more after all of the hype. Granted it's in a different medium but an average episode of South Park is far funnier

The Book of Mormon was one of the most hilarious shows I have seen for such a long time! Pushing the comedy boundaries, but in a camp and incredibly endearing way that makes you feel unsure whether you should be laughing or sympathising with the characters. Wonderfully outstanding performances from all cast members; which you do not often see. Appealing to people of all ages and walks of life ... but prepare to be shocked! (In a good way!)
Fantastic theatrical experience that I have now told EVERYONE about! I'd go again in an instant!